Adding heated seats to SE convertible?

[TexasTrooper]

Haven't given up my search yet for a Solara convertible. Right now I am tempting towards an SE. Because of price and because I am not a big fan of leather. The only SLE feature I would miss are the heated seats.
Ok I live in Texas but I like to drive with an open top even when it is cold.
Back in Europe I had a Mercedes SLK for over a year. There was nothing more fun with driving top down through snow covered landscape.
Unfortunately there is no snow in Texas.

Is there a way to convert the SE seats to heated seats? I know there is always the cheap way with these after market heated mats you lay on top but I wonder if anybody actually modified the original seat.
I am asking because people have done it on the Sienna.

[**PoshPepper**]

If people have done it on the Sienna then couldn't you just apply the same principles?

I think the easier way out would be to buy heated seats from an SLE model (from a junk yard or something) and either put a seat cover on them (since you don't like leather) or get them recovered in cloth...

[MCOjerry]

If people have done it on the Sienna then couldn't you just apply the same principles?

I think the easier way out would be to buy heated seats from an SLE model (from a junk yard or something) and either put a seat cover on them (since you don't like leather) or get them recovered in cloth...

What she said!

The heated seats are great for top down driving in cool weather.

I have seen episodes of Overhaulin where they added heated seating. You just have to open up the seat and install the heat coils, and locate the swith somewhere. Some auto shops can most likely help you with that.

Funny that you don't see many heated cloth seats, though. Does cloth not react well to the heating elements?

[HID04V6]

If people have done it on the Sienna then couldn't you just apply the same principles?

I think the easier way out would be to buy heated seats from an SLE model (from a junk yard or something) and either put a seat cover on them (since you don't like leather) or get them recovered in cloth...

What she said!

The heated seats are great for top down driving in cool weather.

I have seen episodes of Overhaulin where they added heated seating. You just have to open up the seat and install the heat coils, and locate the swith somewhere. Some auto shops can most likely help you with that.

Funny that you don't see many heated cloth seats, though. Does cloth not react well to the heating elements?

They do have heated cloth seats. Subarau uses them as well as Volkswagen. One of my employees at work drives a Jetta that has heated cloth seats that heat up quite well. GM also is using heated cloth in some of its models.

If you go to a shop to get aftermarket heated seats, its VERY expensive to just get the heat part. I was going to do that to my other car, but they wanted close to $1,000 to do just the fronts. Needless to say, I left it as is and just deal with it when I drive the car.

[MCOjerry]

^^maybe it's just a "luxury" item that they only think people who want leather will pay for then, you just don't see it a lot on cloth.

[SolaraBlue]

if you want heated seats but no leather, buy one of these:
http://www.wintercomfort.com/?gclid=CO2 ... FQodiyBOCQ

or, if you want something more OEM:
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/afcarseathea.html

[TexasTrooper]

Thanks. Great links. Exactly what I was looking for.
My '98 Mercedes SLK in Germany had heated cloth seats. No problem with that. Heaters and cloth work fine together.
My main objection against leather: It is hot here in Texas and I know quite a few people using towels on their seats in summer. Especially when wearing shorts.
In addition: That sun kills the leather over time. Especially on convertibles. You just have to look at some cars down here. Lots of cracks.

[SolaraBlue]

as long as you keep your leather maintained it should last as long as you want it to. also tinted windows help a lot to prevent them from getting too hot and eventually cracking..... though, if youre going to leave your top down, none of that matters.....

glad those links helped. i was thinking about getting something like that installed on my car, leather gets VERY cold in the winter time.

[kblanch1]

I have to say...the heated seats have been a pleasant surprise on my 06 SLE conv. It was one of those options that the car came with that I said "yeah...so what", but I have found them to be REALLY nice this winter. They heat up pretty quickly, and certainly makes winter driving much more enjoyable with the leather. My old Sebring had leather seats...and those things got REAL cold in the winter!!

[QtPiie]

Would this effect the side air bags?

[SPF 0]

Don't forget the SLE also comes with stability control.

[PXLpainter]

I never liked heated seats before I got the convertible. Now I use them a lot - especially on chilly mornings or when the sun goes down and I'm coming home along the beach.

[**PoshPepper**]

I want heated seats... but I want them transplanted from another car... I dont want to retro something like that myself... what is the point if you can do a pretty simple swap (most complicated part would be the wiring and setting up a switch/control for power)...

Oh well... that project isnt happening anytime soon... LOL

[lehich]

I just did conversion on my 04 Solara, both front seats, took me about 3 hour to remove leather and install heater element on both sides. Next would be the wiring... I'm planning to use variable heat controller (from Lexus) as Solara factory option is only On/Off and I would like to have continuous control of heat. I took some pictures during process so if I have time I may write some DIY story